We think it is fair to assume that most people, upon first seeing a raccoon, wouldn’t be scared of these masked mammals. That said, we are here today to tell you you should be. Here are some of the dangers raccoons pose to people and animals around Houston properties.
What Are Raccoons
Chances are you already know a bit about raccoons. You might know they are mischievous and usually up to no good. You might know they are nocturnal by nature and are usually found causing trouble after dark. You may even know that raccoons enjoy knocking over and eating trash.
What is strange, however, is that raccoons in nature have been recorded washing their food in bodies of water, dipping it, and rolling it around before eating it. Another you might not know about raccoons is that they have opposable thumbs and often use them when getting into trouble to undo latches, open containers, and do things other pests are incapable of doing.
Which Raccoons Are Dangerous
Not all raccoons are dangerous creatures; some are perfectly safe, and some people even keep raccoons as pets. Although we do not recommend this, we fully understand why someone might want to have one of these curious, cute-looking creatures around their Houston property. What makes a raccoon dangerous, however, is what it chooses to eat and the environment it lives in. Raccoons that eat a lot of trash and live in unclean environments are more likely to be host to dangerous diseases, the most common of which being rabies.
Sometimes when raccoons cause trouble around properties, they are not alone. Parasitic pests like fleas and ticks love feeding on furry creatures and will use pests like raccoons to get onto properties. Conversely, the closer fleas and ticks are to your Houston home or business, the more likely they will be to hop on one of your pets and hitchhike indoors to cause trouble. If you didn’t know, both fleas and ticks spread diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia.
Ways To Keep Raccoons Away
Raccoons are clever pests, but you can outsmart them. To keep these furry bandits from invading and causing trouble around your Houston property, try these simple prevention tips:
- Install a fence around your yard and or garden.
- Seal your trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
- Pick up fruit that drops into your yard.
- Clean up thoroughly after outdoor gatherings.
- Avoid feeding your pets outdoors.
- Repair damage to the exterior of your home, business, and or outbuildings.
- Make sure screens around your home are in good condition.
- Address damage to decks, porches, or other additions raccoons can get beneath.
How To Remove Raccoons From Your Property
If raccoons settle down on your property, do not attempt to handle them on your own. Instead, let the wildlife removal experts in Houston at 911 Wildlife help. We understand how dangerous raccoons can be and have invested the time, energy, and money needed to handle these pests safely and effectively.
Reach out to us today to talk to one of our friendly service representatives and schedule a time to have raccoons removed from your Houston property.
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